Hiring a Maid???

I don't know about hiring a service, never done that, but I'll be surprised if they e-mail quotes. They will probably come out and give an estimate then you can get a feel for the company.

Do you know anyone else that uses a housekeeper that can give you a recommendation? When we lost our housekeeper of 20+ years we just hired the person that did my grandpa's house then when she retired my mom hired a woman from her church, she does a lot of houses and had a stellar reputation. I think I'm going to use the person that our realtor uses (another lady from the same church). We've been lucky in finding excellent people by word-of-mouth.

If you feel like someone has to be there with them you don't have the right person. And I always thought it was a hassle to be there anyway - you have to stay out of each others way and they are more comfotable doing their thing without feeling like someone is looking over their shoulder.

Sooner, you are so right!  I really don't want to have to be here.  I am just really green at the maid thing...never had one...my parents had them but they worked from home so they weren't watching over them, and they were more like part of the family. 
 
I do know someone who might be able to suggest some people to me.  I will check with her tomorrow.  DH probably wouldn't be very happy if I had his day off two days a month intruded on by a stranger! 
 
The only thing holding me back is that I can only afford someone twice a month tops if they are reasonable.  A lot of people that she knows want to come more than that.  I guess I will just have to stand my ground until I find what I am looking for.
Thanks for the suggestions!

If it is a total stranger and/or a service, be sure they are bonded.

I wouldn't go that route, though. I'm with everyone else: get a referral from someone else. It's scary letting someone else into your house!

I would definately go with a referral from someone you know.  Also be sure to ask how they feel about dogs.  Some maids refuse to clean houses with inside dogs.

Hire a company (Ex:  MerryMaids) so that you get people from a company that is licensed, bonded, and insured.  Call and ask for an estimate.  While the above is one of the most expensive, they are one of the more accountable.  A team of two ladies could clean for an hour or two, depending on what you want to pay.  MM's used to charge around $40 per hour.  But that's for two people.  You could arrange for them to clean for one hour solid and whatever is done at the hour, that's it.  Have them do all the 'wetwork' which is kitchens, baths, utility room.  I don't know what they charge these days, but you are paying to make sure you don't have a mass murderer in your home.  Maids have access to everything in your home.  Figure that you would be spending about $100 a month  (e/o/w visits of at least $50).  Ask for an estimate, references, and check them out on the BBB.    BE careful.    Jules

If you can't find someone you know. I would hire someone posting an ad. You can always find people willing to clean houses. I do it myself sometimes. I charge less than what a company would charge. The problem with this is some people are not willing to trust someone to come into their home. I clean for people I know, so there are no problems with them trusting me.  I would think a large company would have some way to cover themselves in the case of something being stolen.

My parents have someone come once a month.  I am not sure what she charges but I could find out.  I know they have her come when they are there right before work so that she doesn't have a key, but she locks up on her own when she leaves.
 
I have not really heard horror stories... it is similar to having a dog walker come into your home with access to everything.  One of my mom's old maids though used to get naked to clean the showers.  This annoyed me but she didn't do it at our house since our showers were smaller and quicker to do.  At my mom's boss's mansion though, she would.  Also, a personal preference, but my mom's old maid would smoke in our house.  We don't smoke, so I definitely would not want someone else smoking in there, muchless someone who is supposed to clean the house!

Like Jules said, it's probably safer with a licensed, bonded service for safety. However, if it were me, I would try to find an indiviudal whom I trusted, though I know that could be tough. The services around here do such minimal work. They pretty much just vacuum and dust, which is just about the easiest part of cleaning. Maybe you have better providers there.

My hunch is that the major companies, while LB and I, will be more expensive than your budget will allow.  I too recommend getting a referral from someone.  Real estate agents might be a good source. 
 
We have a maid, who comes in twice a month to clean the upstairs.  The basement is unfinished.  She cleans maybe 1800 sf.  2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, living room, utility room, kitchen and sun porch.  Charges us $45 each time.  I would describe the quality of her work as about what we would do ourselves. Not what you would call "deep cleaning."   I think she probably spends 2-3 hours.

My mom pays $80 every other week for probably 3000 sf. deep cleaning (incl. laundering sheets and towels) with 5 dogs and 3 cats that live in the house. I think that's a pretty good deal, she probably spends 5-6 hours.

Yeah my sister hired someone that does it for a living, not a company and she charges $9 an hour.  We paid her to clean our last house after we moved out.  She doesn't bring her own cleaning supplies, but uses the owner's stuff.  

We have hired all of our maids by putting an add in the paper.  I do about a weeks worth of interviews (normally we get about 50 responses), and pick the one we like the best. 
 
 

I work for my Aunt who has her own small cleaning service.  The way she charges is per room, not by the hour.  She, as well as most companies I would think,  arranges to meet the home owner to have them show her the home.  From there they discuss which rooms and exactly what services are needed such as general cleaning or extras such as dishes, laundry or whatever.  We also give the option of using your supplies and charging less or bringing our own.  Get a few estimates. I would say that your larger companies would charge more and would try to pressure you into more than you want.  We have several customers who only get cleaned once or twice a month.  She does not advertise and has kept her business going for over 20 years by word of mouth. So IMO bigger is not always better.  By the way even a small business has to be bonded unless you opt for some one who just does a little cleaning on the side.  Do your research, ask around,  you'll want someone who has good references from real people that you know.  It is much better for us when there is no one home. We can get our job done with out feeling watched over and as if we are interfering in the home owners day.  We do have several older clients who are home and as much as I love them sometimes it is hard for them to let us get our work done. This just a point-of-view from the other side.  Hope it is usefull to you.  Good Luck!!  []